The efforts of a group of Panamanians, focused on including the «Sombrero Pintao» as patrimony of humanity, are beginning to bear fruit, as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced that the fibers and elements used to make the mentioned Panamanian piece enters the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The publication describes all these elements: the vegetal fibers to prepare the talc, pints and cringes of the Sombrero Pintao, which are obtained by manual procedures using five kinds of plants and mud.
It also explains how artisans make braids and talcs with different motifs, and also pints. They grow the plants, work the raw materials, braid the fibers and make with them this type of hat that is part of the clothing of all the regions of the country in the folkloric dances and the Panamanian community parties.
Thus, it also recognizes the efforts made to safeguard this element of cultural heritage, highlighting the creation of the Sombrero Pintao Museum, located in the district of La Pintada, where the life and techniques of the artisans, as well as hats from different periods, are shown. .

Panama celebrates on October 19 of each year the Civic and Commemorative Day of the Sombrero Pintao and the General Direction of National Crafts organizes, in turn, fairs and craft markets to promote this product.
Hat making procedures and techniques are handed down from generation to generation and braiding contests are organized to encourage hatters to perfect their craft. There are more than 400 craftsmen who practice this trade, live on it and are proud of their creations.